Support the maintenance of the Ernest Ullman Park
MORNINGSIDE MANOR – The group relies solely on donations and has been unable to host fundraising events for almost a full year, resulting in a drastic drop in funds.
Friends of Sandspruit appeals to local residents to donate and volunteer to support the maintenance of the beautiful green belt.
Friends of Sandspruit is a volunteer-based non-profit environmental conservation group which has been maintaining the green belt along the Sandspruit stretching from the South Road bridge to the northern tip of Ernest Ullmann Park in Morningside Manor for almost 10 years.
The group employs a team of two people on a weekly basis to keep paths clear and trim along the banks, allowing local residents to make daily use of the river and park safely.
Chairperson of Friends of Sandspruit Alex Barbosa said, “In these current trying times we are working harder than ever and with even less funding than before.”
The group relies solely on donations and has been unable to host fundraising events for almost a full year, resulting in a drastic drop in funds.
Recently, the group partnered with local resident and photographer Yafei Yi who kindly donated some of his photographic work taken in the park for a recent raffle. The magnificent shots of birdlife and sunsets were won by supporters Clifford Green and Bradley Sibler.
“Our biggest bill each month is our wage bill. Without this hardworking team in the park, local residents would struggle to walk along the river with no proper pathways, leaving them open to opportunistic crime,” said Barbosa.
Their bills also include fuel needed for grass cutters as well as maintenance of tools and machinery.
Barbosa extended her thanks to those who regularly supported the work of Friends of Sandspruit.
She urged other community members to consider supporting the worthwhile cause as their finances were running low.
Regular river clean-ups were an important way for the local community to get involved, said Barbosa.
If any group from a local high school would like to arrange a clean-up one afternoon to complete community service hours, that would be greatly appreciated.
To find out more about how you can assist, email info@sandspruit.org or use one of the Snapscan barcodes dotted around the park to make a donation.
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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/232615/friends-of-sandspruit-show-community-spirit-during-clean-up/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/190303/keep-rivonia-clean/
